vacant

[ vey-kuhnt ]

adjective

1. having no contents; empty; void:

   a vacant niche.

2. having no occupant; unoccupied:

   no vacant seats on this train.

3. not in use:

   a vacant room.

4. devoid of thought or reflection:

   a vacant mind.

5. characterized by, showing, or proceeding from lack of thought or intelligence:

   a vacant answer; a vacant expression on a face.

   Synonyms: inane, vacuous, blank

6. not occupied by an incumbent, official, or the like, as a benefice or office.
7. free from work, business, activity, etc.:

   vacant hours.

8. characterized by or proceeding from absence of occupation:

   a vacant life.

9. devoid or destitute (often followed by of ):

   He was vacant of human sympathy.

10. Law.
    1. having no tenant and devoid of furniture, fixtures, etc. ( unoccupied ):

       a vacant house.

    2. idle or unutilized; open to any claimant, as land.
    3. without an incumbent; having no heir or claimant; abandoned:

       a vacant estate.

vacant

/ ˈveɪkənt /

adjective

1. without any contents; empty
2. postpositivefoll byof devoid (of something specified)
3. having no incumbent; unoccupied

   a vacant post

4. having no tenant or occupant

   a vacant house

5. characterized by or resulting from lack of thought or intelligent awareness

   a vacant stare

6. (of time, etc) not allocated to any activity

   a vacant hour in one's day

7. spent in idleness or inactivity

   a vacant life

8. law (of an estate, etc) having no heir or claimant

Derived Forms

• ˈvacantness, noun
• ˈvacantly, adverb

Other Words From

• vacant·ly adverb
• vacant·ness noun
• non·vacant adjective
• non·vacant·ly adverb
• un·vacant adjective
• un·vacant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacant¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, Old French, from Latin vacant- (stem of vacāns, present participle of vacāre “to be empty”); -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of vacant¹

C13: from Latin vacāre to be empty

Synonym Study

See empty.

Example Sentences

The Senboku Hottokenai Network Project is an example initiative that gradually transformed vacant building stocks into supportive housing for older people, a group home for people with disabilities, and a community restaurant.

From Science Daily

"It has now been vacant for a third of its built life. Careful consideration has been given to the history.... and the University of Salford, intends to demolish the building."

From BBC

So, who are the potential star signings that could fill the vacant hot seat to become the show's sixth main presenter in its 60-year history?

From BBC

Since his murder in July 2021, the post of president has been vacant.

From BBC

A state law known as the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act bans localities from capping rent on vacant units, single-family homes and apartments built after Feb. 1, 1995, or earlier in some cases.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bare
• deserted
• idle
• unemployed
• unfilled
• uninhabited
• unused